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Commonwealth pays out SA irrigation grants

A centre pivot irrigates a crop in South Australia's Riverland region.

Clint Jasper

Irrigation projects along the South Australian stretch of the Murray River will receive a $100 million funding boost.

The Federal Government has given grants to 100 different farming businesses and organisations to save 20 gigalitres of water that can be returned to the environment.

Walkers Flat potato grower Aaron Haby has received a grant that will enable him to install three centre pivot irrigators, worth $90,000 each.

"We've done a lot of grant forms before in our time and never really got anywhere.

"For this one here, we're actually over the moon to apply for it and get the funding. I think it's great the government has moved so fast for it."

The grants are part of the South Australian River Murray Sustainability Irrigation Industry Improvement Program (3IP) that aims to return 40 gigalitres of water to the environment.

It forms part of the state's water return commitments under the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Projects have been awarded money under an initial funding round, with a second round to be offered.

Federal Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham, says the spend is good value.

He says the 20 gigalitres of water savings will contribute to South Australia's overall offering.

"In total, South Australia has a contribution to the targets under the Murray Darling Basin Plan of 184 gigalitres, and we're well on the way now, with around 140 gigalitres either contracted or already transferred into the Commonwealth environmental water holdings."

South Australian Agriculture minister Leon Bignell is keen to highlight the flow-on benefits.

He says the grants will create jobs and reinvigorate river communities.

"One example is there's going to be some citrus pulled out and almonds planted.

"I was in India, speaking with almond buyers, and they said they would buy as many almonds as we can grow in South Australia."

The projects funded cover many different industries, from apricots to almonds to dairy.

Murray Bridge dairy farmer David Altmann says he's received a grant to build a shelter shed, otherwise known as a loafing barn, for his cattle.

The project is subject to approval from his local council.

Mr Altmann runs a feedlot dairy and says the money will increase cow comfort. In exchange, he'll hand back a water licence he doesn't need any more.

"We will have a business that will be more sustainable, and with that, we're hoping to be more profitable as well.

"Instead of the water licence, sitting there doing nothing, the government buys a portion of it back and in return we get to do a project that will make our business more sustainable."